IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:


The Huffington Post reported today that the American Licorice Company is recalling its Red Vines Black Licorice as California health officials found high lead levels in a recent batch. More information is available at the California Department of Public Health's website: http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/NR12-044.aspx

It is so important to keep in mind that even in small quantities in products, lead exposure can have irreversible and harmful effects on young children. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, loss of IQ, and other developmental problems that impact a child's ability to learn and succeed in school. We must ensure that all immediate measures are taken to prevent sources of lead in products from reaching the hands and mouths of our children and that these products are removed from the marketplace.

Please help spread the word about this product recall and about the ongoing threat posed by lead poisoning.

1-2-3 Magic

1-2-3 Magic is a nationally recognized video-based discipline technique program. This four-week program will teach parents how to correct negative behavior in children 2 to 12 years old, while encouraging positive behavior.
Parents will learn a simple technique to get your children to STOP doing what you don’t want them to do (whining, arguing, tantrums, sibling rivalry, etc.).
Parents will learn several effective methods to get your children to START doing what you do want them to do (cleaning their rooms, going to bed, homework, etc.).
Parents will learn four powerful techniques that reinforce your bond with your children.
Parents will learn how to handle misbehavior in public and how to avoid the Talk-Persuade-Argue-Yell-Hit Syndrome.
Wednesdays, July 14 to August 4, 2010 (10 am to noon) St. George’s Episcopal Church
15446 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA 23608
FREE! Childcare Available!
Please call 886-6511 to register.

Battered Moms Likely to Have Obese Kids

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MindMoodNews/abused-mothers-obese-kids/story?id=10849276http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=10849276

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR RSV PREVENTION

MedImmune has expanded access for eligible premature infants to receive medication administered to high-risk infants for the prevention of serious lower respiratory tract infections caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The MedImmune Assistance Program is designed to provide the medicine for free to qualifying patients who lack health insurance and whose family household income is within a certain range of the federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines. The company recently increased the eligibility for the program to 400 percent of the FPL (e.g. a household of four with an income up to $88,200, and without health care coverage or medical insurance could receive medication at no cost). This is an expansion of the program’s previous eligibility ceiling. The MedImmune Assistance Program is administered as part of the Synagis Reimbursement Hotline and can be reached by calling 1-877-778-9010. More information about additional help available for RSV prevention and treatment can be found by visiting https://www.panfoundation.org/. For more information about RSV, go to http://www.synagis.com/what-is-rsv.aspx.

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ALERT! Torch Fuels Are Dangerous Poisons

Last month, a toddler drank citronella torch oil while out camping with his family. A few hours later, he died at a local hospital. Last year, an 84-year-old woman died after a family member poured torch fuel into a glass. She drank it, thinking it was apple juice. An 8-year-old girl has permanent lung damage after making the same mistake.
Whatever you call it - torch fuel, tiki oil, bug lamps - fuel oil can be fatal if swallowed. Some people who drank it but didn't die were sick for prolonged periods of time. These products often look like apple juice, which is why it is easy to make a mistake. The liquid is the same color, the bottles are of similar heights, and the caps look alike. And, when poured out of their bottles, it's impossible to tell the difference. If swallowed, torch fuel can easily slide down into the lungs instead of going into the stomach. This causes pneumonia and also prevents the lungs from absorbing oxygen. Even small amounts in the lungs can be life-threatening or fatal. If you suspect that someone has swallowed, handled, or breathed in a poison, call the Poison Center right away. The 24-hour number is 1-800-222-1222. The experts that answer your call will tell you exactly what to do.

Secondhand Smoke May Induce Nicotine Dependence Symptoms

If parents are serious about keeping their children from smoking, says a new study, they shouldn't smoke around them -- and not just because doing so sets a negative example. According to senior author Dr. Jennifer O'Loughlin of the Université de Montréal's Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, "Increased exposure to second-hand smoke, both in cars and homes, was associated with an increased likelihood of children reporting nicotine dependence symptoms, even though these children had never smoked." The study appears in the September edition of the journal Addictive Behaviors.
Read the full article at:http://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/content/view/1811/206/

Free Health Screenings

At Main Street Physicians in Suffolk, 157 N. Main Street. When: Saturday, October 25 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free Health Screenings for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Dental, Well Women Exam, Prostate Blood test. To register please call Lateef Khursheed at 925-1866 ext. 326. For accurate results, please do no eat breakfast. Food will be provided.

Influenza Update

The ACIP update on the 2007-2008 influenza was reported that the season was more severe that had been observed than the 2003-2004 season. The report disclosed that was a relatively poor match between the vaccine and the circulating flu virus strains. However the vaccine was still 44% effective. There will be an expansion of children recommended for the influenza vaccination for the 2008-2009 season. Children 6 months of age to 5 years of age are already being recommended for vaccination. The six influenza manufacturers project about 150 million doses of vaccine will be available for the upcoming season.

Investing in Disease Prevention Could Save Over $16 Billion in Five Years

RWJF-Supported Study by Trust for America's Health Suggests a Return on Investment of More than 5 to 1 In its report, Prevention for a Healthier America: Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities, TFAH finds that an investment of $10 per person per year in proven community-based programs to increase physical activity, improve nutrition, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use could save the country more than $16 billion annually within five years. This is a return of $5.60 for every $1 invested.

Reducing teen mortality rates

New Data Illuminate Risky Behaviors Leading to Youth Mortality
Seventy-two percent of deaths among 10- to 24-year-olds in the United States are a result of one of four causes -- and many high school students engage in behaviors that increase their risks. To read more go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5704a1.htm

Pandemic Flu seminars

Before you know it, Flu Season will be back on us and we at the Norfolk Department of Public Health wanted to give you the opportunity to get a head start on preparing your clients/patients/affiliates with important prevention information. We are currently scheduling Pandemic Flu seminars for locations within the City of Norfolk. Typically, a 45-minute presentation, the seminar can be tailored to fit your needs, allowing for an important question and answer segment. It will include the presentation of a compelling and very insightful video (free to the host facility) and the distribution of FREE Pandemic Flu information to each person/family in attendance.
If you would like to schedule a Norfolk Department of Public Health Pandemic Flu presentation, contact Terrance.Aferanderson@vdh.virginia.gov , You may also call me at (757) 683-8836.

Lead Poisoning

School-Age Children May Be at Greater Lead Risk Than Toddlers. While many people assume that the younger a child is, the more vulnerable he or she is to the negative effects of lead, a new study suggests the reality may be more complicated. "Although we typically worry about protecting toddlers from lead exposure, our study shows that parents and pediatricians should be just as, if not more concerned about lead exposure in school-aged children," said Richard Hornung, DrPH, the study's main author and a researcher in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/about/news/release/2008/ChildrenMoreVulnerabletoHarmfu

Even supposedly 'mild' asthma can steal your child

When he was 5 years old, Javier Enrique Alcaine started seeing angels.
May 29, 2008 issue of the Daily Press story.
http://www.dailypress.com/dp-local_tamara_0525may25,0,2837419.column

Poison Prevention Training

According to the Virginia Department of Health, poisoning is the second leading cause of injury death in the Commonwealth. Learn how to teach poison prevention in your community. This seminar is offered free of charge but pre-registration is required, the date is May 1 in Manassas, VA.
For more information and a registration form contact ras@poison.org or 202-362-3867.

American Lung Association Update

Big Tobacco's Guinea Pigs: How an Unregulated Industry Experiments on America's Kids and Consumers - This report details how tobacco companies manipulate their products to recruit new youth users, create and sustain addiction, and discourage users from quitting.

Celebrating Children and Positive Parenting

Child Abuse Prevention Extravaganza - Saturday April 5, 2008 10:00 AM—3:00 PM, Kaufman Mall– ODU. " Learn Positive Parenting Strategies and What We Can Do to Protect Children from Abuse. "
Music, Crafts, Fun and Games for Children of All Ages - Spectrum Puppets— Moonwalk - Face Painting, Hula Hoops, Dance.

Neighborhood Safety Network

This is a project of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission called the "NSN Tool Kit." This electronic tool kit is a valuable resource from everything from fire safety, keeping older consumers safe to protecting children from an array of dangers around the home. They have a variety of publications, posters, checklists, and tools that can be downloaded for free and used to create a safety program in your neighborhood.
Keep your community safe, Start saving lives.

The NSN Tool Kit can be accessed at: www.cpsc.gov/nsn/nsn.html

Kids in Cars - August Purple Ribbon Month

August is Purple Ribbon Month for reminding parents and caregivers on the dangers of leaving children unattended in and around vehicles.

Kids IN Cars' partner, 4RKidssake, heads up this incredible life saving technique. Hang a purple ribbon on a tree in your front yard, on your personal vehicle or even your work vehicle, on your mailbox and many other places. Wear a lapel pin every day of August and share our life saving message.

You will be amazed on how many people will ask you what the purple ribbon stands for.
What a great way to ensure the safety of our children nationwide.

So how do you get these ribbons? Simply reply to my email and provide an address.

Together we will save lives!

Becky Ball
Director of Virginia
Kids In Cars
703-304-1375
becky.ball@kidsincars.org
www.kidsincars.org

What are local providers doing for poison prevention?

CINCH's Injury Prevention workgroup is in the process of developing some intervention ideas for poison prevention in local pediatric practices. We are looking for input from practice providers (nurses, office staff, and physicians) on what providers are currently doing with their patients (parents of young children) with regard to poison prevention as well as what kinds of things they would be willing to engage in in their practices (for instance, distributing stickers/magnets with the Poison Control number, allowing community members to come in and help educate parents, etc.).

If you or someone you know might be interested, we would love to have you attend our Injury Prevention Workgroup meeting on Tuesday, June 12 from 12:30-2:00pm. Please contact Hillary Marotta at 668-6495.